What kind of brew pot can you rely on?

[Hoptimus_Prime]

I'm still buying brewing supplies and want to ask you guys: What kind of brew pots work for you? Which ones haven't worked well at all? I'm in the market for a sturdy 10-15 gallon brew pot that I can have for a very long time, something I'd like to think would last forever and I want to know what works best.

(I'm worried about getting something that gets scratches and dents easily or has flimsy handles, etc)

On a related side-note, I'm also looking for a good outdoor propane single burner stove for it to sit on, so any suggestions for that would be much appreciated.

 

[ThePonchoKid]

I love my boilermaker 10. I saved a couple bucks on the cosmetic defect one. I mean I really love it. The sight glass and the valve are vital imo. Just picked up the blich burner a few days ago as well. Much better than a turkey stand burner, and much easier to refract the heat from the glass and valve than those big honkin flames needed for the turkey burner to work well.

I do biab and i prop the lid against the pot to rest the bag on while straining. I'm probably going to buckle that lid within a year


I was gong to go with polarware. but now I couldn't imagine going without the sight glass on my biolermaker. and I think a clad bottom is a bad thing to be honest. there are adhesives in many clad bottoms that can disintegrate if you accidentally leave the pot on the burner for an extended period. Not sure clad is even remotely vital if you're going to be using a gas burner

 

[divrguy]

I'm still buying brewing supplies and want to ask you guys: What kind of brew pots work for you? Which ones haven't worked well at all? I'm in the market for a sturdy 10-15 gallon brew pot that I can have for a very long time, something I'd like to think would last forever and I want to know what works best.

(I'm worried about getting something that gets scratches and dents easily or has flimsy handles, etc)

On a related side-note, I'm also looking for a good outdoor propane single burner stove for it to sit on, so any suggestions for that would be much appreciated.

If you want something really sturdy... Look for a keggle or convert one yourself. There are a lot of good pots out there and someone will have some brands and gauge for you I'm sure.

 

[sudbuster]

I'm still buying brewing supplies and want to ask you guys: What kind of brew pots work for you? Which ones haven't worked well at all? I'm in the market for a sturdy 10-15 gallon brew pot that I can have for a very long time, something I'd like to think would last forever and I want to know what works best.

(I'm worried about getting something that gets scratches and dents easily or has flimsy handles, etc)

On a related side-note, I'm also looking for a good outdoor propane single burner stove for it to sit on, so any suggestions for that would be much appreciated.

You ask for suggestions, so here's mine. The megapot 15 gal is heavier (thicker) than just about any similar pot on the market. It has a 3 layer clad bottom. Your grandkids could brew in it. Another good aspect is the price at 185 dollars. Good luck in your quest......

 

[Yesfan]

Though I don't have many batches under my belt, I am happy with my Bayou Classic SQ14 burner. I want to add Bayou's 10 gallon SS pot with steaming basket so I can do full volume boils and BIAB.

 

[Nagorg]

For ~$85 bucks, I have been real happy with my 44Qt Bayou Classic SS pot!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VXHKMC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I also use the Bayou Classic SQ14 with this pot. Works great and you can add a windscreen real easy if desired:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/my-bayou-classic-sq14-windscreen-addition-330988/

 

[allenH]

If you want something really sturdy... Look for a keggle or convert one yourself. There are a lot of good pots out there and someone will have some brands and gauge for you I'm sure.

Second the keggle. I scored a keg for free (from a frat boy SWMBO works with), added a bulkhead, ball valve and dip tube and I am just under $100, bought everything from bargain fittings (price includes a step-bit and 5' high temp hose). I am still using a cheapo Bass Pro fish fryer burner ($29), but it will boil 13 gallons in about 45 minutes. I am going to weld up some better legs for the burner though.



It's a little scary.

 

[acidrain]

For ~$85 bucks, I have been real happy with my 44Qt Bayou Classic SS pot!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VXHKMC/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I also use the Bayou Classic SQ14 with this pot. Works great and you can add a windscreen real easy if desired:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/my-bayou-classic-sq14-windscreen-addition-330988/

I have that exact same one... got it from Cabelas for ~$65 with a strainer. The one thing I don't like about it is the strainer is held off the bottom a few inches and is supported by the rim ring. I cut the corresponding rolled lip off the strainer so it would fit down into the pot deeper for BIAB.
Now, I don't even use that pot... it's too small for full volume BIAB.

What kind of brewing will you be doing? What size batches?

I second either looking for or building your own keggle. Look on Craigslist... there's always tons of stuff.

 

[Nagorg]

I have that exact same one... got it from Cabelas for ~$65 with a strainer. The one thing I don't like about it is the strainer is held off the bottom a few inches and is supported by the rim ring. I cut the corresponding rolled lip off the strainer so it would fit down into the pot deeper for BIAB.
Now, I don't even use that pot... it's too small for full volume BIAB.

Mine didnt come with a strainer and I dont BIAB. This pot is great for 5-6 gallon AG batches doing a full volume boil.

But like acidrain eluded to, if your wanting to do 10 gallon batches then a keggle probably would be ideal. I know that's what I'm looking to obtain next!

 

[Golddiggie]

Another keggle vote. Not only can you fully customize them to do what you want, you can build them as you want over time. I have one for my mash tun and another for my boil kettle/keggle.

One of the versions of my mash tun (I've since removed the thermometer from it):

Inside shot (with a JayBird/NorCal false bottom and Blichmann Auto Sparge)

Boil keggle (this is the second one I've built)

Inside:

IMO, the NorCal false bottom is worth every penny (for the mash tun). I use a hop spider (all stainless with a nylon mesh bag for the hops) so I don't worry about hops getting into my plate chiller.

I used my 10 gallon BoilerMaker for the first time in at least a year, last weekend. Used it to heat up my sparge water.

 

[pelipen]

Troll craigs list for used restaurant supplies. I picked up a 60 quart stainless with lid that way.
I put a valve on the first, but I don't think I will on this one. Just siphon.

 

[revansCAAD8]

Very good suggestions already! I have been very happy with our Brewrite (Polarware high end) SS kettle bought from Rebel Brewer. Heavy duty and should be around for a long long time: http://www.rebelbrewer.com/shoppingcart/products/Brewrite-Kettle-80qt.html

Hope this helps,
Robert
GypsyBrew

 

[Hoptimus_Prime]

I have that exact same one... got it from Cabelas for ~$65 with a strainer. The one thing I don't like about it is the strainer is held off the bottom a few inches and is supported by the rim ring. I cut the corresponding rolled lip off the strainer so it would fit down into the pot deeper for BIAB.
Now, I don't even use that pot... it's too small for full volume BIAB.

What kind of brewing will you be doing? What size batches?

I second either looking for or building your own keggle. Look on Craigslist... there's always tons of stuff.

Yeah, I saw a few cool burners and some pots at Cabelas, but some had scratches and dents that were on display. I don't know exactly what I'm going to be making yet since I'm still collecting tools and supplies. Building a keggle would be really fun, those things look like armored tanks compared to pots.

 

[allenH]

They pretty much are armored tanks. Dents and scratches don't really matter in a brew pot, you really only need to worry about that stuff after the boil. My mash tun and keggle only get a quick rinse and wipe down with a soft sponge after use and only a rinse before use.

 

[Hoptimus_Prime]

Second the keggle. I scored a keg for free (from a frat boy SWMBO works with), added a bulkhead, ball valve and dip tube and I am just under $100, bought everything from bargain fittings (price includes a step-bit and 5' high temp hose). I am still using a cheapo Bass Pro fish fryer burner ($29), but it will boil 13 gallons in about 45 minutes. I am going to weld up some better legs for the burner though.

View attachment 79296

It's a little scary.

That thing is beautiful! I dunno how to cut a hole in the top of one, but it looks really sturdy.

 

[allenH]

Borrow an angle grinder and buy a stainless cutting disc. Takes less than 20 minutes, a lot less intimidating than it looks. Mine is pretty ghetto, look around at some of the guys that polish theirs up (like Golddiggie) They can be very pretty and will last forever.